Nonoperative Options for Management of Articular Cartilage Disease

Clin Sports Med. 2017 Jul;36(3):447-456. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2017.02.003. Epub 2017 Apr 22.

Abstract

Nonoperative options for articular cartilage injury are pervasive but have not shown to be curative. Recommendations for low-impact exercise and weight loss provide benefit and are a foundation for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Judicious use of NSAIDs and acetaminophen can be appropriate for pain management. Topical NSAIDs may be a treatment option with fewer side effects than its oral counterpart. Additionally, viscosupplementation injections are useful for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, whereas short-term pain relief is provided by intra-articular corticosteroid injections. Future studies to individualize treatment options based on patient phenotype and genotype may hold promise.

Keywords: Cartilage; Corticosteroid; Glucosamine; NSAIDs; Osteoarthritis; Viscosupplementation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / therapeutic use
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Anesthetics, Local / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Braces
  • Cartilage Diseases / therapy*
  • Cartilage, Articular* / injuries
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Glucose / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Osteoarthritis / therapy*
  • Resistance Training
  • Viscosupplements / therapeutic use
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Viscosupplements
  • Glucose